PROVERBS 16:9

It’s funny how we make plans for ourselves, for our families, for our future. How this is going to happen, how that is going to happen. For God to sit on His throne and laugh at our plans. If you have ever planned and it went exactly the way you planned for it to go, just keep living as my mother and grandma would say. Just keep living. As Christians we often need to be reminded that we are not in control. We are often arrogant, planning as if we know exactly what will happen in our lives. We can have all the planning we want but our heavenly father is in total control as He orders our steps.

As I sat up in those stands as a junior basketball player in college, I knew I wanted to be an athletic trainer in the NBA. It is the goal I set for myself when I decided to major in athletic training on my first day at Anderson University. I remember the trip vividly like it was yesterday. My team was on a winter break holiday tournament in San Antonio. Ironically, we stayed in the same hotel as the visiting Portland Trailblazers. That night my teammates and I went to the Spurs game thanks to generous alumni. I am sitting at the top of the arena in the 300-level section behind the basket. It turns out to be a great game as then 2nd year player Damian Lillard sends the game to overtime. Lillard was a second-year player scratching the surface of his stardom. I was a junior basketball player studying athletic training for the opportunity to work in the NBA on the same floor as him. That was my plan, to finish school and break into the NBA. God’s plans were greater. Let me say that again, GOD’S PLANS WERE GREATER! After school I was delayed several times from this organization and that organization to work as an intern athletic trainer, let alone a full-time athletic trainer. I say delayed because being delayed is not being denied. I was delayed those numerous times because God had a plan to groom me into who I am today. I had to learn from different experiences when I was put into different situations over and over. I have learned that the glass is always half-full and not half-empty. Through the years of being delayed, He was nurturing me and grooming me to be better so that when the opportunity presented itself not only would I be ready for it, but I would also appreciate it more than if it was given to me. I never forget where I come from. I was working at a middle school covering softball, but there was a reason for it. We as humans cherish the things we work hard to achieve more than the things we receive without working. There’s a reason that people that win the lottery often file for bankruptcy. I say all that to say that I appreciate where I’m currently at in my journey because of where I have been in my journey. There is beauty in the struggle and my appreciation has grown tremendously for my beauty scars. I thank God for it all!

This is not intended to tell you not to make plans for your future. Instead, give your plans over to Him, commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act. When you trust Him with your plans and the desires of your heart, you do not have to worry about tomorrow. You and I can rest easy knowing that the will of God will prevail. The Lord directs our steps, so why try and understand everything along the way? It’s gone all work out sooner or later, you do not have to worry about tomorrow. It’s going to work out in your favor, keep your eyes on the prize and your faith in Him!